Differentiating exponential functions

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on differentiating exponential functions, specifically the expression \( e^{e^x} \). Participants emphasize the application of the chain rule, stating that the derivative of \( e^{f(x)} \) is \( e^{f(x)} \cdot f'(x) \). The conversation also touches on the complexities of "towers of powers" and the importance of proper notation in LaTeX for clarity. Key derivatives discussed include \( \ln(2) \cdot 2^y \) and \( \ln(3) \cdot 3^{x^2} \cdot 2x \).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the chain rule in calculus
  • Familiarity with exponential functions and their properties
  • Basic knowledge of LaTeX for mathematical notation
  • Experience with derivatives of functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the chain rule in more complex functions
  • Learn how to differentiate functions involving multiple exponentials
  • Explore LaTeX formatting for mathematical expressions
  • Practice deriving functions like \( 2^{x^2} \) and \( 3^{x^2} \)
USEFUL FOR

Students, educators, and professionals in mathematics or engineering who are looking to deepen their understanding of differentiation techniques, particularly with exponential functions.

Petrus
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How do i derivate e^e^x (I don't know how to type it on latex but here you can se what i mean e^e^x - Wolfram|Alpha Results basically don't know how I shall think
 
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Re: First and second derivate

If you have something of the form $$e^{f(x)}$$ what is the derivative ?
 
Re: First and second derivate

ZaidAlyafey said:
If you have something of the form $$e^{f(x)}$$ what is the derivative ?
$$e^{f(x)}*f'(x)$$
 
Re: First and second derivate

Petrus said:
How do i derivate e^e^x (I don't know how to type it on latex but here you can se what i mean e^e^x - Wolfram|Alpha Results basically don't know how I shall think

Hi Petrus! :)

The chain rule says that the derivative of $f(g(x))$ is $f'(g(x))g'(x)$.
Now pick $f(y)=e^y$ and $g(x)=e^x$.
Can you apply the chain rule to $e^{e^x}$ (written in latex as e^{e^x}).
 
Re: First and second derivate

Petrus said:
$$e^{f(x)}*f'(x)$$

Excellent , now put $$f(x)=e^x$$ .
 
Re: First and second derivate

ZaidAlyafey said:
Excellent , now put $$f(x)=e^x$$ .
$e^{e^x}*e^x$
 
Re: First and second derivate

Some of most 'horrors' I have seen in my life are the so called 'towers of powers'... when I see an expression like $\displaystyle e^{e^{x}}$ I don't undestand if it is $\displaystyle e^{(e^{x})}$ or $\displaystyle (e^{e})^{x}$ (Headbang)...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Re: First and second derivate

chisigma said:
Some of most 'horrors' I have seen in my life are the so called 'towers of powers'... when I see an expression like $\displaystyle e^{e^{x}}$ I don't undestand if it is $\displaystyle e^{(e^{x})}$ or $\displaystyle (e^{e})^{x}$ (Headbang)...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
Hello!
I think this is hilirious because I got one problem like thatView attachment 681
anyone can give me advice on that aswell. I am suposed to derivate it once.
 

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Re: First and second derivate

Petrus said:
Hello!
I think this is hilirious because I got one problem like thathttps://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/681
anyone can give me advice on that aswell. I am suposed to derivate it once.

So... how far do you get?
Do you know what the derivative of $2^y$ is?
 
  • #10
Re: First and second derivate

I like Serena said:
So... how far do you get?
Do you know what the derivative of $2^y$ is?
If u mean 2^x and derivate is ln(2)•2^x
 
  • #11
Re: First and second derivate

Petrus said:
If u mean 2^x and derivate is ln(2)•2^x

Good!
So...?
 
  • #12
Re: First and second derivate

I like Serena said:
Good!
So...?
Im really confused on this because its a lot Power up to. Can you give me a advice
 
  • #13
Re: First and second derivate

Petrus said:
Im really confused on this because its a lot Power up to. Can you give me a advice

Okay.
Let's start by picking $f(y)=2^y$ and $g(x)=3^{x^2}$.
Can you apply the chain rule?
 
  • #14
Re: First and second derivate

I like Serena said:
Okay.
Let's start by picking $f(y)=2^y$ and $g(x)=3^{x^2}$.
Can you apply the chain rule?
I need first help how I shall think when i derivate $3^{x^2}$
 
  • #15
Re: First and second derivate

Petrus said:
I need first help how I shall think when i derivate $3^{x^2}$

Pick $f(y)=3^y$ and $g(x)=x^2$ this time round.
Can you apply the chain rule to that?
 
  • #16
Re: First and second derivate

I like Serena said:
Pick $f(y)=3^y$ and $g(x)=x^2$ this time round.
Can you apply the chain rule to that?
$ln(3)3^y2x$
 
  • #17
Re: First and second derivate

Petrus said:
$ln(3)3^y2x$

Almost.
When substituting in $f'(g(x))\cdot g'(x)$, you're supposed to replace all occurrence of $y$ in $f'(y)$ by $g(x)$.
That is, you're supposed to replace $y$ in $\ln(3) 3^y$ by $x^2$.
Can you do that?
 
  • #18
Re: First and second derivate

I like Serena said:
Almost.
When substituting in $f'(g(x))\cdot g'(x)$, you're supposed to replace all occurrence of $y$ in $f'(y)$ by $g(x)$.
That is, you're supposed to replace $y$ in $\ln(3) 3^y$ by $x^2$.
Can you do that?
$ln(3)3^{x^2}2x$
 
  • #19
Re: First and second derivate

Petrus said:
$ln(3)3^{x^2}2x$

Good!
Let's go back to the original problem.
Can you apply the chain rule now?
 
  • #20
Re: First and second derivate

I like Serena said:
Okay.
Let's start by picking $f(y)=2^y$ and $g(x)=3^{x^2}$.
Can you apply the chain rule?
(im replying to this cause i want to use it as a mall)
I hope this trick work, I subsitate $x^2$ as c and $c'=2x$
$ln(2)2^yln(3)3^c*c'$
$ln(2)2^yln(3)3^{x^2}2x$
 
  • #21
Re: First and second derivate

Petrus said:
(im replying to this cause i want to use it as a mall)
I hope this trick work, I subsitate $x^2$ as c and $c'=2x$
$ln(2)2^yln(3)3^c*c'$
$ln(2)2^yln(3)3^{x^2}2x$

Looks good... almost there...
There is an $y$ left that should still be replaced by the $g(x)$...
 
  • #22
Re: First and second derivate

I like Serena said:
Looks good... almost there...
There is an $y$ left that should still be replaced by the $g(x)$...
Hello,
Could you give me latex code for like 2^x^(y^2)
I can't replace that y with $3^{x^2}$ with latex I get error
 
  • #23
Re: First and second derivate

Petrus said:
Hello,
Could you give me latex code for like 2^x^(y^2)
I can't replace that y with $3^{x^2}$ with latex I get error

You need curly braces {} to group symbols in latex.

So 2^x^(y^2) is 2^{x^{y^2}} which looks like $2^{x^{y^2}}$.
By adding a couple of \displaystyle directives we get $2^{\displaystyle x^{\displaystyle y^2}}$, which is more readable.

We need to be careful with these towers, because they look like the are on the verge of falling over. ;)
For safety we could keep them on the ground, like 2^(x^(y^2)).
 
  • #24
Re: First and second derivate

Nice tip I like Serena with the double use of \displaystyle! :)

You can even play around with the \hspace{} command and get it a little more readable. Here's what 2^{\hspace{.4 mm}\displaystyle x^{\hspace{.4 mm} \displaystyle y^2}} renders.

$2^{\hspace{.4 mm}\displaystyle x^{\hspace{.4 mm} \displaystyle y^2}}$ versus $2^{\displaystyle x^{\displaystyle y^2}}$
 
  • #25
Re: First and second derivate

I like Serena said:
You need curly braces {} to group symbols in latex.

So 2^x^(y^2) is 2^{x^{y^2}} which looks like $2^{x^{y^2}}$.
By adding a couple of \displaystyle directives we get $2^{\displaystyle x^{\displaystyle y^2}}$, which is more readable.

We need to be careful with these towers, because they look like the are on the verge of falling over. ;)
For safety we could keep them on the ground, like 2^(x^(y^2)).
$ln(2)2^{\displaystyle 3^{\displaystyle x^{\displaystyle2}}}ln(3)3^{\displaystyle x^2}2x$
Thanks for helping me and guiding me! Thanks for taking your time!:) I just learned some latex and improved my knowledge about Chain rule! cheer!(d)(Yes)(Muscle) :cool:
I owe you for the help! just (Phone)and I will invite you for some (Pizza)
 
  • #26
By the way, you could have differentiated y= 2^{x^2} by taking the logarithm of both sides:

\ln(y)= x^2\ln(2)

Now, it is easy to differentiate both sides with respect to $x$:

\frac{1}{y}\frac{dy}{dx}= 2x\ln(2)
\frac{dy}{dx}= 2xy\ln(2)= 2\ln(2)x 2^{x^2}
 
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